The influence of gamma irradiation on the storage quality of bamboo shoots

To evaluate the effects of gamma irradiation on the storage quality of bamboo shoots and explore the relationship between enzyme activities and lignification and the browning of bamboo shoots, the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase(PPO) as well as the contents of lignin, cellulose, soluble proteins and soluble sugars and the firmness and brightness (L* value) of bamboo shoots were examined during 45 days of storage at 4 °C. Prior to storage the bamboo shoots were subjected to irradiation treatments at doses of 1 kGy, 3 kGy and 5 kGy. Irradiation could inhibit the activities of PAL, POD and PPO, and it reduced the increase in the lignin and cellulose contents, which helped prevent lignification and browning and slowed the degradation of soluble proteins and sugars. A 3 kGy dose of irradiation had the best preservation effect on the bamboo shoots. The results of this study suggest that irradiation could be a potential method for maintaining the quality of bamboo shoots during storage.